Time for another part of the “Who The Fuck is That Guy” series! “Who The Fuck is That Guy” is the final segment of every episode of the Vendetta Sports Fantasy Show on our Youtube Channel. Everyone on the show gives a random player. Someone that no one knows about, someone who will never get drafted. Yet somehow, someway they will win you your fantasy league. Today we’re looking at Ryan Switzer, wide receiver for the Pittsburgh Steelers and my (Scott’s) pick in episode 3.
Background Information
Ryan Switzer, 25, was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys in the 4th round of the 2017 NFL Draft. He played college football at North Carolina where he starred at wide receiver and as a kick returner. Switzer improved every year in college, finishing his senior year with 96 catches for 1,112 receiving yards and 6 receiving touchdowns.
He saw very little time as a wide receiver with the Cowboys, only collecting 6 catches and 41 receiving yards. He was traded to the Las Vegas (formerly Oakland) Raiders in April of 2018, only to then be traded to the Pittsburgh Steelers in August of 2018. In 2018 Switzer had 36 catches for 253 yards and 1 touchdown with Pittsburgh. 2019 was a down year for Switzer as he only played in 9 games. Along with only accumulating 8 catches for 27 yards. He’s a smaller wide receiver at 5’8 and weighing 182 pounds, he plays best in the slot but also has gotten some carries at running back with the Steelers.
Fantasy Flashes
Despite being on a Pittsburgh Steelers team with a loaded wide receiver room in 2018, Switzer showed that he is able to succeed when given the opportunity. Against the Denver Broncos in 2018, Switzer racked up 6 catches on 8 targets for 67 yards. Totaling 12.7 points in PPR and 6.7 points in standard fantasy leagues. While those numbers may not blow you away, Switzer averaged 11.16 yards per catch against the Broncos. It should also be noted that he averaged 3.5 yards per carry and 6.36 yards per reception with the Steelers. Switzer also averaged 7.027 yards per reception with quarterback Ben Roethlisberger.
Fantasy Potential
Ryan Switzer will be a solid receiver for you late in the season when injuries start to pile up. Switzer will get receptions, again in 2018 he had 7 catches against the Baltimore Ravens. That alone is 7 points in PPR, add that to his 32 yards and that’s 10.2 PPR points. PPR Leagues are where Switzer will get most of his value. As he works the short passing game and acts as a safety valve for Ben Roethlisberger. All it takes is for Smith-Schuster to get injured for Switzer to take over slot duties. If that happens, Switzer will receive more targets and get more chances to make plays both for the Steelers and you.
Path to Playing Time
Ryan Switzer’s path to playing time is full of hypothetical situations yet realistic ones. Simply put, injuries. Juju Smith-Schuster only played in 12 games in 2019 and his production dropped off immensely. Smith-Schuster plays best in the slot, Diontae Johnson, James Washington and Chase Claypool all have the tools to play on the outside. If Smith-Schuster gets injured again, which is very possible, Switzer could takeover the slot duties and be productive. Working the middle of the field may not be the flashiest or the sexiest way to be productive, but you don’t get style points in the NFL or Fantasy Football. If Smith-Schuster goes down, it’s worth picking up Ryan Switzer and taking a gamble on his production in the slot.
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